Something in my system tray?

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Guest

A while ago, a little icon appeared in the shape of a circle with a question
mark in it which switches to a red circle with a cross-bar. I had someone
tell me how to change the setting to stop it, which worked successfully, but
it has reappeared and I do not know how to remove it. Also, since this issue
popped up, every once in a while a "Critical System Warning" appears and I
know changing the setting eliminates that problem, too. Can someone help me?
 
Davin said:
A while ago, a little icon appeared in the shape of a circle with a
question mark in it which switches to a red circle with a cross-bar.
I had someone tell me how to change the setting to stop it, which
worked successfully, but it has reappeared and I do not know how to
remove it. Also, since this issue popped up, every once in a while a
"Critical System Warning" appears and I know changing the setting
eliminates that problem, too. Can someone help me?
Click to expand...

If you right click it, what options do you see?
If you doubleclick it, what happens?
 
Critical System Warning is probably from some sort of malware. VirusBurst
is one.

"VirusBurst is a trojan that displays an icon in the system tray. This icon
shows a message, which says that the compromised computer is infected with
dangerous spyware parasites and asks the user to download and install a
removal program, which actually is VirusBurst, the same named corrupt
illegally distributed spyware remover. Once the user clicks on that message,
the trojan opens a web site distributing VirusBurst. It may also try to
download the application. The trojan is able to change the Internet Explorer
default home page and redirect the web browser to malicious web sites.
VirusBurst automatically runs on every Windows startup."

UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode can prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

''In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers
(mouse, monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system
services), just the minimum device drivers required to start Windows.''

Because of that some malware does not load in Safe Mode and is easier to get
rid of.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

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